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Probably not a big deal just something I have never done. I'm heading out on a trip soon and the first overnight camp is real close to a Maverick with a CAT Scale. I plan to get the trailer set up at camp and run over to the scale. Fill the fuel tank and then run just the truck across. The next day when we leave I'll run across it twice. Once with the WDH unhooked and then again with it all hooked up.
I hope to come away with real measurement around weights and the WDH set up axle distributions.
Like I said, I've never been on a scale so just looking for tips on the process. I have the CAT app loaded and ready to go. I know not to dick around on the scale if there are others wanting to use it ( this one does not look like an area that would be real busy as it's not a big trucking route or a truck stop set up.
One variable will be the GF and dog. They will not be in the truck when I get the first weight without the trailer. Should I kick them out when weighing the next day with the trailer hooked? I really doubt the combined 140 ish pounds should make a difference............
I would agree that 140 lbs isn't going to make much difference in the grand scheme of things.
As for your process, you're pretty much right on, presuming you aren't going to have much besides the GF and dog in the truck? Nothing extra in the bed, it's pretty much all in the trailer? If that's the case then you're spot on. If anything is going to be in the bed of the truck when the trailer is attached, it would be better to have it in the truck when you weigh the truck by itself.
There will be three platforms, two small ones and a large one. You want to center as much as possible your front and rear axle on the first two pads. Note where you stopped the first time, and try to get at the same spot on the go round. Don't jabbed the brakes, stop as smooth as you can. When you weigh with the WDH disconnected, put the bars against the tailgate since they are part of the TW.
You Don't want both truck axles on the same pad, it defeats the purpose. Some have done that because they didn't know.
Now Reweighs are only a couple bucks, so you may want to look to see if there is a time limit on the reweigh. Your first weigh is full price, then you have reweighs to add to that first weigh, so you can save a few $ if you time it right. Using the App, you don't even need to call in or get out of the truck, its great, but get your card setup before you enter the scale.
plenty of dudes on youtube out there show how to do Cat scales with pickup and trailer. Its easy and in my experience the scale is always empty. OP has the app which is the way to go.
You're off to a good start with the app already loaded. Their app has been a game changer I think.
My advice is to make sure to get the app all setup before you get to the scale. I thought I had mine all ready to go, with credit card info and email address to receive the weight ticket. Then when I actually got on the scale to use the app it asked me to enable some permission. And it took me a few minutes to figure out how to do that, including leaving and coming back to the app several times. I wish I could remember what it was asking for permission to do. Just let it do anything it wants I guess. You might be better with phone apps than I am.
One variable will be the GF and dog. They will not be in the truck when I get the first weight without the trailer. Should I kick them out when weighing the next day with the trailer hooked?
No. What will your justification be? "Your weight and the dogs weight will significantly affect the weight measurements of a pickup truck and travel trailer" . . . ? LOL don't do that.
The weigh-ins should be done as close together as possible, with the same passengers and cargo. Dropping the trailer, then weighing the truck, then coming back the next day to get the trailer weights could lead to skewed results. How about the fuel use between those weights, and cargo moved around in the truck ?? The GF and dog should be in the truck during all weigh-ins, but if not possible should not be in the truck with any of the weigh-ins. Just keep cargo and passengers the same.
IMHO, the best way to get the most accurate results:
Weigh everything with WDH bars in place.
Drop the trailer in the lot, and weigh just the truck. As someone suggested, leave the WDH bars in the back of the truck, or if the brand allows, leave the bars hooked up to the hitch.
Hookup, but do not hook up the bars, and get a weight.
Of course, any order doing those can work just fine.
Another plus would be to fuel the truck 1st, to get a total truck reading.
LOL don't do that.
